On Saturday 7 September the AGM 2019 was held in Muker Village Hall on a bright and sunny day.

The AGM was very well attended with over forty members and guests present including four new members. The morning began with teas and coffees whilst socialising with friends old and new alike. Computers were set up so that members could access the P-Tree system with assistance from Peter and Yvonne, if needed.

Two speakers were invited to give talks relating to Swaledale and it’s people, past and present. In the morning session Duncan Blythell gave a very interesting talk entitled “The Decline of Keld”. Keld is a small village in Swaledale that has seen many changes over the years. We have, in the past, had speakers from the Keld Resource Centre and have also visited the centre.

Following on from Duncan’s talk, the business side of the AGM was held. All the Committee members were re-elected and no new committee members were put forward. All reports were agreed and seconded. After the meeting Richard Coates gave a short presentation on the forthcoming Spring Visit 2020 which will be a WW1 War Graves Tour. This will be held 27-30 April, 2020. If anyone is interested in this visit there are still places available, more details are in the “News” section under Spring Visit 2020.

A delicious buffet lunch was served with special thanks to the late Dorothy Alderson’s very kind gift that was used to fund the lunch and also David Alderson for finding the new caterer. The traditional group photo was then taken outside in the sunshine after lunch.

After lunch the second speaker, Marian Moverley, talked about “People who left the Dales and went to London”, which was also very interesting and informative.

In the evening a number of members and guests enjoyed dinner at the Kearton Country House and Hotel in Thwaite.

The following morning we reconvened at Richmond and had a thoroughly enjoyable guided tour of the Georgian Theatre Royal.

After a light lunch at a nearby pub the event came to a close and everyone set off on their onward journeys.

Next year’s AGM will be on 5 September 2020.